Holiday gift ideas for the toughest folks on your list

By Ann Hoevel, CNN

Updated 4:18 PM ET, Wed December 11, 2013

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Your family and friends' new additions already seem to have so much stuff. What's left to give? Silver is a traditional heirloom gift for infants. Tiffany & Co. has plenty of gift options.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Teenagers want the independence of adults, but they haven't given up on all the whimsy of childhood. Gifts that give a nod to their imagination, like these cardboard unicorn trophy heads from ThinkGeek, are a great, affordable example.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – A sophisticated take on teenage interests, like furniture made out of skateboards, could be a gift that respects a teen's evolving tastes.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Distant relatives aren't easy to shop for because you might not know them very well. Give a gift that plays up your family name connection; stores like Pottery Barn often offer monogrammed gifts.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – In-laws or the parents of the person you're dating can be awkward to shop for. Choose a gift that pampers them -- like a luxurious down-filled robe -- and hopefully inspires warm, fuzzy feelings about you!

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – What do you give to the person who already has everything they could possibly want? Something they can use! Herbal bath tea will be a gift of limited engagement, which makes it that much more special.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – The people who work with you at home -- babysitters, housekeepers and nannies -- often develop strong ties to your family. Choose gifts for them that play up your connection, like embroidered throw pillows from Uncommon Goods that celebrate the state where you live.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Holiday gifts for hairdressers, tailors or other important service providers are no-brainers: It is widely accepted as proper etiquette to tip them the cost of a typical visit for the holidays.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Secret Santa gifts for office colleagues can be tricky. Sure, you know these people well, but work talk might be the only conversations you have. Give a gift that nods to what you know best: clever, funny or stylish office supplies, like the symbolic red Swingline stapler, a nod to the movie "Office Space."

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – A holiday gift for the boss can be especially challenging. We suggest a stylish gift that reflects current trends. Heritage American companies like Pendleton are making a comeback in 2013; one of these Pendleton sofa throws would be a great gift for the boss.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Small, affordable luxuries make great gifts for the inevitable surprise guest. Something like this Lampe Berger offers a stylish glass base along with a wide range of home scents.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – White Elephant parties are all about outrageous gifts. The pressure to bring the wackiest, most out-there gift can actually make shopping for these parties quite difficult. We suggest household utensils or useful object -- like these magnets from Casa.com -- or gifts steeped in kitsch.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – You've probably got a December scheduled to the hilt with holiday parties. And you're on the hook for more than one host or hostess gift. For these gifts, think about the accoutrements needed for great entertaining, like these delightful corkscrews from Red Envelope.

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Gifts for the hard to buy for – Ever hear of the Christmas pickle? The German tradition holds that whoever finds the pickle ornament hidden in your Christmas tree gets a wacky gift; we find this ceramic nose pencil sharpener from ThinkGeek to be on point.

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Story highlights

Christmas gift ideas can be hard to find for a long list of people you love and respect

We know you're starting to panic. With just a few weeks left in the holiday season, you still need Christmas gift ideas for some of the people on your list: the babysitter you want to keep happy, the co-worker you drew in the office Secret Santa exchange, the in-laws who have everything, the new niece or nephew who already seems to have so much for such a tiny person.

Stop the freakout: Try this list for inspiration. You can pick up most of these gifts on your way home tonight!

Gift-giving philosophy: Teens are throwing off the trappings of their childhoods, but usually retain a sense of whimsy. Meanwhile, they're experimenting with some newfound freedoms. Indulge them.

Shopping strategy: Young-adult oriented retailers like Urban Outfitters, bath and body stores, technology stores like the Apple Store and Radio Shack, department stores and big box stores will likely have the gifts you want.

Gift-giving philosophy: You see them maybe once a year. Time to play up your family ties and think outside the normal retail haunts.

Shopping strategy: Photo stores and copy stores are useful for reproductions of family heirlooms; they can help reproduce your photos or old home movies, and often sell items like frames and archival boxes. Monogrammed gifts can also be found in local boutiques, big box stores, kitchen supply stores and home decor stores like Pottery Barn.

Gift-giving philosophy: They already have everything they want. So what's left? Consumable gifts!

Shopping strategy: Paper and stationery stores, spas and boutiques, gourmet food stores and home decor stores will likely have the gifts you want.

Examples: Look for stationery, imported toiletries, specialty foods, herbal bath tea, exotically flavored sugars, or even a thoughtful calendar or themed cocktail napkins. If it's a relative, try a family favorite that only they would understand, like baking grandma's lady finger cookies.

The babysitter, housecleaner or nanny

Gift-giving philosophy: The people who help you in your home are often as close as family. Give them gifts that remind them of your bond.

Examples: Try jewelry with a message -- either symbolic or engraved -- or a digital photo frame with many images loaded of your photos together or a book that mentions inside jokes. Share your last name: gift them with a family tartan or an embroidered state pillow that says something about your family identity.

The hairdresser, tailor or mechanic

Gift-giving philosophy: Don't fool yourself: They work hard for a living, you need their services and you know they would appreciate a substantial holiday tip.

Examples: Bring them money, usually the amount you spend for their services in one visit, and maybe some of the cookies you've baked

Gift-giving philosophy: Pick up the tradition of the Christmas pickle ornament -- it's a well-known game in German households. Parents hide a pickle-shaped ornament on the tree, and the children (or adults!) must find it. Whoever finds the pickle gets a gift -- and usually it's wacky!

Shopping strategy: Drugstores, As Seen on TV stores, local specialty shops and joke stores are excellent hunting ground for this kind of gift. Online stores like ThinkGeek or Amazon.com could also serve your needs.